Category: lips

bareMinerals Remix Collection

Here’s a little holiday sneak peek for you! bareMinerals is releasing a new Remix collection in January and I’ve been test driving some of the products. The 11 piece color collection, despite the vibrant appearance above, is actually very wearable and fresh. The cool shades work great now in winter, but would be fabulous for spring as well.

There are some old favorites in the collection including Warmth (a bronzing finishing powder) and Secret Radiance (also found here). The bronzer gives a nice finish to my winter complexion while Secret Radiance is a beautiful shimmery highlighting powder.

bareMinerals Remix Collection Loud & Clear Lip Sheers // Belle Belle Beauty

The highlight for me might be these sheer, glossy balms – aka Loud & Clear Lip Sheers. I love the way these shades give a great wash of color without being too bold, but giving such a great lip tint. Tangerine Trance, Berry Remix and Amped Pink will be in my purse for the foreseeable future. The fruity scent and hydrating formula make these such a pleasure to use.

bareMinerals Remix Collection READY Eyeshadow // Belle Belle Beauty

Shame on me for not reviewing the bareMineral’s eyeshadows sooner. I’ve been hooked on these for months and the new versions don’t disappoint. I was immediately drawn to The Next Big Thing (right). I wore these shades on Christmas Eve and loved the festive shimmer effect. One thing to note about these formulas: the powder is creamy and super blendable in to a buildable but initially sheer color. So while the shades can look dark, they are quite neutral unless you build them. Don’t discount my love for The Wild Thing (left)! The bottom left shade is a beautiful shimmery taupe. Layered with the top right makes for a golden shade that looks great with the ice blue. Bottom line, these shadows are perfect to play around with and are more neutral than they appear. The creamy powder formula makes for a real treat.

Why yes, that is an aqua mascara. I hadn’t used Flawless Definition Mascara and was very pleased with the volume and length I achieved. The wearability was superb with zero fall out. Blue mascara is something you either are drawn to or you aren’t. I understand. But it is worth a try. The slight blue effect brightens eyes and is actually a great way to soften a look. I’ve been wearing it on bottom lashes for just a suggestion of blue to play off my hazel eyes – trust.

The bareMinerals READY Blush in The Natural High is a high shimmer pink – I’m into radiance these days so I love it. Beware, it is far from matte. Lastly (not pictured), bareMinerals Round The Clock Eyeliner is a creamy, easy-to-use, waterproof eyeliner that I love to recommend. All in all, bravo, bareMinerals on a great collection!

AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Five Tips for Holiday Makeup from Neutrogena

Amy Oresman, celebrity makeup artist from Neutrogena, shares some of her tips using for holiday makeup. I’ve been test driving these items too over the past couple of weeks and am also sharing my thoughts on these drugstore buys.

1. During the holidays when you’re running from one event to the next, your makeup can take a beating. To help you look picture perfect, it’s important to start with a good base. The Healthy Skin Primer Broad Spectrum SPF 15 instantly smoothes skin imperfections so makeup applies more evenly and lasts longer.

Editor’s note: I LOVE, I mean love, this primer. It evens skin just on its own while cooling and hydrating. I love the SPF (non-irritating at that). And there is no balling and sliding under makeup.

2. Between parties, shopping and cooking, the holidays can leave many women feeling and looking rundown, often showing up as bags and dark circles under the eyes. Healthy Skin Brightening Eye Perfector is a do-it-all product that not only brightens and conceals but is clinically proven to de-puff and treat dark under eye circles. Formulated with optical eye brighteners, this silky formula instantly boosts radiance and lightens shadows around the eye area, leaving skin looking refreshed and more even-toned, so you’re close-up ready!

Editor’s note: I’ve had one of these in the rotation for a couple months. This is not an illuminator pen – it really conceals with a radiant and moderate-coverage finish. I love using it around my eyes and down the sides of my nose.

3. Often times, the photo flash can make your look washed out. To really make your eyes pop, eyeliner is a girl’s best friend. Nourishing Eyeliner contains a specialized blend of light-reflecting pearls that help make the whites of eyes appear whiter, while the rich color instantly brightens and defines eyes. What’s more, the formula is enriched with skin-conditioning ingredients including olive oil, rainforest shea butter and Vitamin E to help nourish the delicate skin at the base of the lashes.

Editor’s note: This creamy liner is easy to use and especially great for a smudgy look (there is a smudging sponge at the other end). I love the in-cap sharpener and addition of vitamins and conditioners for delicate skin. This sadly doesn’t work on a water-line, but could be great in conjunction with your favorite eye kohl (remember: layering liners makes them stay longer).

4. My must-have accessory for any holiday look is mascara! My personal preference is HEALTHY VOLUME® Mascara because it builds lash volume by 400% with the triple benefits of olive extract, Meadowfoam seed and sweet almond for fuller, more conditioned lashes. The exclusive super sized Visible Volume brush quickly coats and builds every single lash, without clumping, smudging or flaking, resulting in beautifully defined lashes that are conditioned from the inside out.

Editor’s note: This mascara not only conditions and improves your lashes, but boosts volume in a major way. The large brush is my preferred tool and adequately coats each last for more length and fullness. There is no dry, crispy feeling (hate when that happens).

5. No holiday look is complete without the perfect pout to round off the picture perfect look! Every woman wants soft, luxurious lips, but achieving them isn’t always so easy since many products can leave lips feeling dry, especially during the winter months. Revitalizing Lip Balm SPF 20 is formulated with with ion₂complex™ Technology that offers a surge of moisture and improves lips’ overall appearance. In just one week, this sheer tinted balm is clinically proven to improve the texture of lips while restoring lips’ rosiness.

Editor’s note: It is hard for me to not love a good balm. These did not disappoint They really are hydrating with a fruity flavor. I love “Sheer Shimmer” for an easy translucent lip and “Petal Glow” gives a subtle hint of rose, both leaving my lips super shiny.

Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm

Self-adjusting makeup items always cause me a little bit of a side eye. As usual, the Dior Lip Glow was met with skepticism. But after a couple weeks of use, I am sold. I’m not sure exactly how this “responds to my color chemistry” but all that matters is I like it. The effect is a slightly pinky nude. The best part is the hydration and sun protection. And that classic fruity scent. Have you guys tried any color adjusting products?

Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm is available at Neiman Marcus.

Get The Look Video: Pretty in Plum

For the last in our Get The Look series, Sara and Rebecca accent with plum shades. I love the soft, sophisticated look of this shade. Love these tutorials? Check out the other videos in the series here, here, here and here.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKZ0J9egpXQ]

“Using one color in various tones is anything but boring! Purple, plum, eggplant, and mauve combine perfectly on eyes and lips for the sultry winter look. Just make sure to keep your cheeks light to maintain balance.”

Get The Look Video: Pretty in Plum // Belle Belle Beauty

Links for brands used:

http://shop.janeiredale.com/
http://www.econveybeauty.com/

Sophie from Angel Food Style

This past September, I met Sophie of Angle Food Style at New York Fashion Week and have been hooked on her fashion blog ever since. I love her fresh, classic and Southern California looks that always are so polished. I loved visiting Los Angeles when I lived in the Bay Area and her gorgous photos take me right back there. Doesn’t hurt that she is one of the most genuine and nicest women I have met in the blogging world. And loves Maltese puppies as much as I do (that is a saying A LOT).

Besides a perfectly polished outfit, I noticed Sophie’s makeup always looked natural and finished without being overdone…(not to mention her “hard to ignore” natural beauty). With our endless chats on Twitter and Instagram, I knew she was a girl after my own heart – a true beauty junkie. If we meet up again, you will find us in Sephora undoubtedly.

Angel Food Style on Belle Belle Beauty Two

So… I am so excited to have her on Belle Belle today to talk about her day-to-day look with a couple extra touches to make it holiday-ready. This everyday face has a “bit more oomph than the summer-appropriate mascara/bronzer/lip gloss situation”.

Here are the products Sophie is wearing:

Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in shade 5.25 (can’t get enough)
Nars Bronzer in Laguna under cheekbones, on temples, chin
Giorgio Armani Sheer Blush in shade 10 “beige” on apples of cheeks
Giorgio Armani Eye Quad in Bourdoir– I mixed the 4 nude shades together and concentrated the darkest shade in the outer corner
Tarte Amazonian Clay Liner in Black on inside bottom waterline, Giorgio Armani Maestro Liquid Liner to line eyelids (I would die without this liquid liner- use it everyday)
Bare Escentuals Buxom Mascara in black
Anastasia Beverly Hills “Brow Wiz” pencil in Ash Blonde
Nars lip gloss in “sweet revenge”– the perfect nude/pink every day shade

Like me, Sophie is a huge Armani fan. Their foundation, we both agree, is a best of breed. Sophie points out their high quality, “especially in the shadows – the pigments are so luxe and last all day”. Anastasia is a great resource for brow tools – I love her clear brow gel. And I have a Sephora package en route with NARS Laguna – can’t wait to try one of her “staples”.

Make sure to follow Sophie on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!

Get The Look Video: Rich Lips and Winged Eyeliner

So excited to feature the second video from Sara and Rebecca in our “Get The Look” series. (Check out the first one here) Like Holiday Luxe, Sara and Rebecca used natural makeup products to achieve the look, including one of my favorite lines, Youngblood.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrYe-WEPWmo]

“While mixing too many trends can make you look overdone sometimes two looks are better than one! Winged eyeliner paired with a deep red lip creates a slightly retro look that somehow feels perfectly of the moment!”

The final look!

Makeup used:

images by Mia MacDonald